The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has recently amended its regulations for the licensing, special projects and annual fees it will charge applicants and licensees for fiscal 2025.
According to the NRC Tuesday press release, the agency will reduce the hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants for specific activities required by the Advance Act. The reduced rate will be $148 per hour, over a 50% drop from its initial rate of $318. The rate change will be enacted on Oct. 1.
Its fiscal year 2025 final fee rule was published on the Federal Register on Tuesday. The amendments are necessary to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA). Under the NEIMA, NRC is required to recover nearly all of its annual budget. The fiscal 2025 final rule reflects the total budget authority of $944.1 million, which was the same as fiscal 2024.
Orano and NRD have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at expanding production capacity of Americium-241, a radioisotope.
Orano, a global nuclear fuel cycle materials production and management company, and NRD’s, a global advanced nuclear materials fabrication, production and synthesis supplier, partnership will leverage their own facilities, research and development and process improvements to enable scalable and sustainable production of Americium-241.
Orano will have the ability to extract radionuclides from nuclear fuel at its La Hague site in Normandy, France. The partnership is a shared commitment to address future industry needs for Americium-241, according to Orano’s Wednesday press release.
Amentum and a joint venture partner have been selected by the Norwegian Nuclear Commission to study technology options for a potential nuclear power program.
Chantilly, Va. based Amentum said in a Monday press release it will work with partner Multiconsult Norge AS to provide an overview of various reactor technologies and power plant designs, according to the company’s press release.
The contract builds on Amentum’s prior work with Norwegian engineering company Multiconsult Norge AS to assist Halden Kjernekraft AS to evaluate potential for SMRs to meet energy demands in the Halden municipality in southeast Norway, according to the press release.
Westinghouse has recently signed an Early Works Agreement with a Fortum to potentially deploy an AP1000 reactor.
The Early Works Agreement comes as a result of the selection of the AP1000 technology based on a two-year new nuclear feasibility study by Fortum, a Nordic energy company, Westinghouse in its Monday press release. The agreement will include early project planning, site evaluation and licensing activities.
Westinghouse will be working with Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company for the Early Work Agreement.
